Portland to McMinnville, Oregon: Wine Tours

Willamette Valley Wine Country is less than an hour's drive from Portland via I-5 South. Note: Willamette is pronounced "wih-lam-it" (rhymes with dammit) and folks around there are sensitive about saying it right. Picture rolling hills carpeted with vineyards in varying stages of growth. Pace yourself. There are more than 100 artisan wineries and intimate tasting rooms only minutes apart in Yamhill County. So many wines, so little time.

Portland (starting point)
Before hitting the road, stock up on road reads at Powell City of Books. Stop and smell the roses at the International Rose Test Garden and tease your taste buds with razor clams at Jake’s Famous Crawfish Restaurants.

Wine Country Farm (32 mile)
Reminiscent of a French country villa, Wine Country Farm is a bed-and-breakfast inn, working winery and Arabian horse farm. Owner Joan Davenport is well-traveled and colorful. Take the tour or linger awhile. There are five wineries within walking distance of Wine Country Farm. No designated driver needed. Friendly resident border collies often escort tasting treks between Domaine Drouhin, Domaine Serene, Vista Hills, White Rose and Winter’s Hill.

Note: Many Willamette Valley wineries are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Here are two stand-outs that are open seven days a week.